A CELEBRATION of 'people power' has been held by residents of an area of Burnley who threatened to lie down in their streets during a long-running battle over traffic-calming measures.

A party was held at offices in Daneshouse to welcome the introduction of the controversial scheme to cut road accidents and protect pedestrians after a long-running fight by local people and councillors. The campaign to have traffic-calming measures such as road humps, chicanes and raised 'tables' at junctions was launched a year ago after a local outcry over traffic dangers in the heavily populated residential area.

The issue raised tempers in the area and there were threats that people would lie in the road if their demands were not met. Eventually, the measures were started earlier this year, but then there was a further outcry because bus operator Stagecoach pulled its buses out of the area because it said the road humps were too severe. The humps were redesigned.

The improvements are set to be completed by the end of this month but residents started celebrating their victory early, throwing a party on Friday in celebration.

Ward councillor Mozaquir Ali, said: "Let's just hope that it will slow traffic down and save lives.

"People have waited a long time for these measures and they wanted to celebrate them finally arriving." They also wanted to show their appreciation of the work their councillors have done."

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